Chain-Type Tool Magazine Locking for Easy Tool Holder Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chain-type tool magazines require excessive force to securely mount and remove tool holders, leading to difficulty in control and potential user injury due to the high rigidity of the fastening structure.
Innovation Solution
A tool holder holding and loosening device with a locking mechanism that includes movable operating and restricting members, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement of tool holders from sockets using a tool loosening device, reducing the need for high force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a spring with greater material rigidity is used in the fastening structure, then the stability of the tool holder mounted in the socket is improved, but the force required to remove the tool holder increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the restricting members movable between different positions (third position for locking, fourth position for unlocking) rather than using a fixed rigid spring structure. The operating member can be actuated to move the restricting members, allowing the system to dynamically transition between locked and unlocked states, thereby reducing the force needed for removal while maintaining stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the restricting members from a continuous elastic force (spring) to a discrete positional system. The restricting members can be positioned at the third position (abutting against the tool holder end for stable mounting) or the fourth position (retracted for easy removal). This parameter change allows the system to provide high stability during operation while requiring minimal force for removal when actuated.
2Reliability
If a fastening structure with high rigidity is used to securely mount the tool holder, then the reliability of the mounting is improved, but the ease of operation for removing the tool holder deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transforms the static high-rigidity fastening into a dynamic system where the operating member can be actuated to move the restricting members between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic capability maintains reliable mounting during operation while enabling easy removal when needed, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating member acts as an intermediary that controls the state of the restricting members. By actuating the operating member, the user can easily transition the system from a locked state (high reliability) to an unlocked state (easy removal), without needing to directly apply large forces to overcome the fastening structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances stability during tool holder mounting and facilitates easy removal without excessive force, improving user safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The fastening structure is formed by a plurality of springs and a plurality of steel balls, wherein the spring exerts a pushing force on the steel ball to urge the steel ball to abut against an end of the tool holder inserting into the socket
Data Source
AI summary
A tool holder holding and loosening device of chain-type tool magazine of a machine tool is disclosed. A locking mechanism is disposed on a rear end of each of sockets in a tool magazine. The locking mechanism is adapted to abut against an end of a tool holder mounted in the socket, thereby to prevent the tool holder from accidentally loosing. A tool loosening device is disposed on a predetermined position of the chain-type tool magazine. The tool loosening device is adapted to unlock the locking mechanism of the tool magazine passing through the predetermined position, so that the tool holder could be easily taken out of the socket.